"U.S. Earns a Disappointing "D" on 2009 Preterm Birth Report Card
For the second year in a row, the United States has received a "D" on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, reflecting the fact that more than half a million American newborns did not get a healthy start in 2009. This year seven states improved their status by one letter grade on the March of Dimes annual report, while two states fell in performance. As in 2008, no state earned an "A," and Vermont earned the lone "B." The good news? Criteria affecting preterm birth did improve in many states. For example, 27 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico lowered their late preterm birth rates. A significant number of states also reduced their percentages of women of childbearing age who smoke and the percentage of women of childbearing age who are uninsured. Grades for the report are determined by comparing preterm birth rates to the national Healthy People 2010 preterm birth objective, which is 7.6 percent of all live births. Read more..."
Published in:
Preemie Matters Newsletter Nov. 2009
A resource from the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
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